Fatherly Lessons

I wrote this is honor of my father's after his 3rd year passing. He was a special person in many lives and we were blessed to have him as a father.

My daddy’s name was Maxie Patillo

   He taught me that a true father gives his son more than a name

He married my mom with six kids

   He taught me about responsibility

We immediately took to his kind ways

   He taught me how to care

I don’t know why but we called him “daddy” and our real father Bill

   But this taught me the meaning of misnomers

My dad was the nicest man I’ve ever known

   He taught me about compassion

I hated to see people use him

   He was only teaching me the meaning of patience

I questioned him why did he let people get over on him

   He didn’t have an answer, but this taught me how to love thy enemy

I hated it the most when family members took advantage of him. 

   I didn’t realize he was teaching me how to forgive

He couldn’t help but be so giving

   He taught me generosity

His biggest flaw was that he drank too much and it was his demise

   I learned not to let my weaknesses control me

He was known to tell everyone, “I love you”

   He taught us real men are not afraid to show emotions

He was quite the dreamer and had a hard time finishing his dreams

   This taught me to dream big AND finish what I start

He was an excellent craftsman and could make anything with his hands

   I gained his passion for creating art

He instructed many inner city kids and had a positive impact on their lives

   He gave me my dream to become a teacher

Before he died he said,

“No one could take from me that I helped raise four good men into this world”

   He gave us the basics for being a man

He taught us the meaning of family

   He will always be missed

I love you daddy

   You’re the only father we’ve ever known.

And my real father Bill

   He only taught me how to fold my toilet paper

Reviews

[[untitled]]

bro Brian will keep up on reading this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[[untitled]]

I've read this before and I'm missing my friend lately/daddy......we did
become more than Dad and Son; because we was both A.A. members
and comprehending the literature before he died suddenly.....I'm glad
I found a friend also...I didn't have to drink too much of his beer to hang
out!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tonya]

Wow! This piece is very deep and heartfelt. I love the freeverse. How interesting for a man to show such a soft side. Nice Job! You are truly a blessed man. Keep up the great work. You have many rare abilities!

[Wildfleour]

My daughters have been raised without a father most of their lives. For years I desired only to find someone that could be a father to them. But, sigh, I have done it on my own. Now I recognize that there was a reason for this too and along with it came many gifts.